A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a finger high creamy tan head that died down, leaving a short head covering the surface and lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.S: Light aromas of dark malts are present in the nose.T: The taste follows the smell and has flavors of dark malts. No dryness is perceptible.M: It feels light-bodied and rather smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.O: This stout isn't that flavorful compared to some of the other beers in the style but is very easy to drink. (580 characters)

Served on draught in the Franciscan Well, Cork into a generic real stout (i.e. non-tapered) pint glass. Note that the barstaff here can sometimes be exceptionally rude to foreigners. I got along grand because me accent is Galwegian, but I saw American tourists met with a hostility that is very rare for Ireland. If you order here and you're a Yank, be sure to ask as politely as possible, and don't ask for a pint of "the Shandon." Ask for a pint of "the stout". (They also serve a Shandon Cider).

A: One finger head of lovely cream, thickness, and retention. Quite nice indeed. Nice tanned cream colour, appropriate for a stout. The beer itself is a typical luscious black colour. Very appealing to a stout lover like meself. A bad upward bubble show, almost trying to emulate Guinness, but failing.

T: Proper roasted (and probably unmalted) barley, but a bit flat. Nice notes of coffee, caramel, and hints of chocolate on the climax. Nicely balanced, coming together as the climax approaches. Well built for a stout taste-wise.

Mf: Far too wet for a proper stout, especially after the climax. A stout ought to be dry on the finish to encourage the next sip, but this one isn't. Coarseness is displaced to the climax instead of being present on (and from) the first half. Undercarbonated.

Dr: At four quid, it's one of the better deals in the Franciscan Well. By Irish standards, it's a well priced microbrew stout, but it's still rather expensive overall. It's easily downable during sessions, but Guinness is far better and far cheaper. Fix the unwelcome wetness and carbonation problems, and it'll easily be a B. Elsewise, consumers ought to stick to Beamish and Guinness. (1,758 characters)

Had this on tap at the Franciscan Well brewpub in November 06.
Overall, this is more Beamish than Guinness or Murphy's but with more flavour. Coffee, roast malts etc. It is also much drier than the aforementioned macro stouts. In other words, it actually fits ths classification as an Irish Dry Stout much more easily than the others. Quite a tasty brew. (355 characters)

A light, sweet take on the style. Less traditional, more drinkable but ultimately inferior to other modern Irish versions of dry stout like Porterhouse Plain. Interesting to taste another one from left field, from the People's Republic. (587 characters)

Had in a flight of three with Murphy's Stout and Guinness Stout. I was surprised at how beautiful it tasted. It's my new favorite Stout. Rich creamy head that you can write your name in. Fantastic mouth feel. Black as night. Yum (229 characters)